Thursday's letters: Wonderful job

Published: Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 7:30 p.m.

To the editor: The four photographs in Saturday’s Times-News of the crowded unveiling of the “Bearfootin’ Bears” on Main Street were all quite marvelous. Your photographer, Mike Dirks, did a delightfully superb job illustrating the popular reaction.

Dr. Ralph W. Bastedo

Hendersonville

No loopholes

To the editor: I want to thank Henderson County’s legislators who are working front-and-center to address North Carolina’s coal ash issues. The speaker of the House has designated Chuck McGrady as one of three House leaders to take a lead on the issue.

And thank you, Sen. Tom Apodaca, for promising to introduce coal ash legislation as the legislature goes back into session. May Sen. Apodaca hold everyone’s feet to the fire and stand up to Gov. Pat McCrory, Duke Energy and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. His legislation needs to prohibit the creation of new coal ash ponds, require the closing of currently in-use ponds, and set a timetable for their cleanup — allowing no loopholes.

I am pleased that our representatives are taking a stand to protect our environmental health and well-being.

Frances Jones

Flat Rock

Back in action

To the editor: The Transylvania Tea Party, dormant since the 2012 election cycle, has re-evaluated the federal, state and local political issues and is alarmed at the accelerating overreaching crises impacting practically every facet of American life today.

Tourists and locals got a taste of this overreach when Pisgah National Forest was shut down and the National Park Service nationwide showed who it considered to be in control of America’s treasures and property in 2013. There are other equally dangerous scenarios looming on our horizon.

Therefore, beginning May 22 and the fourth Thursday of every month thereafter, the Transylvania Tea Party will meet in the downstairs conference room of the Community Services Building on Morgan Street in Brevard at 7 p.m. We welcome all conservative-minded citizens, regardless of actual voter affiliation, because the TTP is nonpartisan.

As such, the TTP will refrain from endorsing either political party or their individual candidates but will support, endorse and advertise those activities and events that are consistent with its mission and principles, which can be found at www.transylvaniateaparty.org.

Bruce Watson

Brevard, unaffiliated voter and director of communications for the Transylvania Tea Party

<p>To the editor: The four photographs in Saturday’s Times-News of the crowded unveiling of the Bearfootin’ Bears on Main Street were all quite marvelous. Your photographer, Mike Dirks, did a delightfully superb job illustrating the popular reaction.</p><p><em>Dr. Ralph W. Bastedo</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>No loopholes</h3>
<p>To the editor: I want to thank Henderson County’s legislators who are working front-and-center to address North Carolina’s coal ash issues. The speaker of the House has designated Chuck McGrady as one of three House leaders to take a lead on the issue.</p><p>And thank you, Sen. Tom Apodaca, for promising to introduce coal ash legislation as the legislature goes back into session. May Sen. Apodaca hold everyone’s feet to the fire and stand up to Gov. Pat McCrory, Duke Energy and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. His legislation needs to prohibit the creation of new coal ash ponds, require the closing of currently in-use ponds, and set a timetable for their cleanup  allowing no loopholes.</p><p>I am pleased that our representatives are taking a stand to protect our environmental health and well-being.</p><p><em>Frances Jones</em></p><p><em>Flat Rock</em></p><h3>Back in action</h3>
<p>To the editor: The Transylvania Tea Party, dormant since the 2012 election cycle, has re-evaluated the federal, state and local political issues and is alarmed at the accelerating overreaching crises impacting practically every facet of American life today.</p><p>Tourists and locals got a taste of this overreach when Pisgah National Forest was shut down and the National Park Service nationwide showed who it considered to be in control of America’s treasures and property in 2013. There are other equally dangerous scenarios looming on our horizon.</p><p>Therefore, beginning May 22 and the fourth Thursday of every month thereafter, the Transylvania Tea Party will meet in the downstairs conference room of the Community Services Building on Morgan Street in Brevard at 7 p.m. We welcome all conservative-minded citizens, regardless of actual voter affiliation, because the TTP is nonpartisan.</p><p>As such, the TTP will refrain from endorsing either political party or their individual candidates but will support, endorse and advertise those activities and events that are consistent with its mission and principles, which can be found at www.transylvaniateaparty.org.</p><p><em>Bruce Watson</em></p><p><em>Brevard, unaffiliated voter and director of communications for the Transylvania Tea Party</em></p>